Green River Bank Stabilization & Habitat Restoration Project

Negotiations with adjoining property owners and the City of Kent allowed for setback relocation and reconstruction of the eroding Pipeline levee along the Right Bank of the Green River at River Mile 22.0. Work began in 1999 and concluded with in-water portions of the construction in 2003 following completion of required ESA documentation and consultation. Altogether, over 500 feet of the levee was relocated some fifty to 60 feet landward of its original top-of-bank location adjoining densely developed multi-family residential development. This allowed the creation of two densely vegetated midslope benches which serve as low-velocity flood refuge for salmonids over a range of winter flows released from reservoir storage for flood control. The lowermost bench was excavated to form a series of shallow marginal habitat embayments along the Ordinary High Water Mark (OHWM). Altogether over 35 large logs with intact rootwads were secured below the OHWM to create low-velocity zones and cover for juvenile salmonids

For questions about Projects on King County Rivers, please contact Steve Bleifuhs, Program Analyst, River and Floodplain Management Unit.